:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of November 1st, 2004:
Is actress Tisha Campbell-Martin sick? Yes! The star of the ABC show My Wife and Kids with Damon Wayans recently confirmed published reports about her illness. Tisha is battling sarcoidosis, a rare lung disease which affects parts of the body. Tisha is married to actor Duane Martin, who stars on the UPN show All of Us. Tisha also played “Gina” on the Martin Show. She says she is going to fight this disease. Tisha has been sick for a while, but doctors had no idea what was wrong with her. She plans to continue working as long as her health holds up.
The accusations are flying fast and furious. Who is jealous of whom? Did R. Kelly sabotage the “Best of Both Worlds Tour?” Was Jay-Z jealous of R. Kelly? I predicted last week that this tour would not last, and sure enough it is over. The breaking point came at a concert in New York at Madison Square Garden. The tour was already having problems because you never knew what R. Kelly was going to do. R. Kelly stopped the show when he claimed he saw someone with a gun in the audience. PUUULLLEEEZZEE! Do you really think you can get a gun inside Madison Square Garden with all that security? R. Kelly left the stage and when he got backstage a guy who is part of Jay-Z’s entourage maced Kelly and two of his bodyguard with pepper spray. The guy claims the can dropped and it went off accidentally. Kelly and the bodyguards had to be rushed to the hospital. At this point Jay-Z had to come out and finish the show. He enlisted the help of Mary J. Blige and Usher to go on with the show. Jay-Z was getting sick and tired of R. Kelly and his antics and he decided to kick him off the tour.
For weeks Jay-Z had been lying to the media about his relationship with R. Kelly. He didn’t want the public to know that they weren’t getting along. Jay-Z finally exploded with the truth stating that R. Kelly was jealous of all the attention Jay-Z gets. R. Kelly has responded and he says it’s the other way around. R. Kelly is currently suing Jay-Z for $75 million for breach of contract suit. Kelly blames Jay-Z for the lighting problems, claiming Jay-Z got better lighting than him and looked better on stage. He also blames him for the violence and other technical problems. Kelly says Jay-Z was jealous of him because he was getting 60 percent and Jay-Z was only getting 40 percent. R. Kelly has also filed a criminal complaint against the man who maced him. They were supposed to do two shows in Philadelphia and their album, The Best of Both Worlds Unfinished Business is currently the number one album in the country. I’m sure this feud will go down in the history books as one of the worst. They could have made a lot of money instead they will probably never work together again.
The motion picture Ray is doing great at the box office and Jamie Foxx is getting rave reviews for his performance as Ray Charles in the movie, but right now he is going through a personal crisis. Jamie’s grandmother, Esther Talley, died last week. Talley adopted Jamie when he was 7 months old and she raised him. Jamie’s parents split up and she was the one who stepped in. She was with him as he lived out his dreams and she had a chance to attend a screening of the movie before she died. Jamie was very close to Talley and friends say he is heartbroken over her passing. Jamie should be on top of the world right now-- a hit movie, a possible Oscar nomination, but his heart is broken as he mourns the woman who raised him.
In other news regarding Ray Charles, his son Ray Jr. is being sued by a businessman who claims he was ripped off in a product endorsement deal. The man claims he signed a seven year deal to sell Ray Charles memorabilia, dolls, calendars and a special collectors wine. He says Ray Jr. violated the agreement by making unauthorized deals with other companies. He is seeking $1 million in damages. Another lawsuit is also brewing against the Ray Charles estate. This one is a child support case involving the mother of a 12 year old. When Ray died he left all 12 of his children a million dollars a piece. I guess this is a new child.
Vanessa Williams wants to tell all! Vanessa wants to write a book about her life including her history making turn as the first African American Miss America, and losing the crown when nude photos came out in Penthouse Magazine. She has been a hit recording star, Broadway star and actress. She is also a mother and she has survived two failed marriages. Vanessa has had quite a career. She is currently working on an album of 70’s classics. Her new holiday album Silver and Gold is in stores and she will be hosting a television show by next fall. Earlier this year former basketball star Rick Fox filed for divorce from her. Vanessa’s life has been amazing and she will have a lot to talk about. She is the most famous Miss America ever.
Debbie Rowe is going to get a chance to see her kids. A judge recently granted Rowe permission to see her kids-- 7 year old Prince and 6 year old Paris by Michael Jackson. Years ago Rowe signed away her rights for the children. She was paid millions by Michael Jackson to birth the babies and go away. When the latest child molestation charges against Michael came up she had a change of heart and decided she needed to be a part of her children’s lives. Meanwhile sources say Michael has asked his sister Janet to adopt his children in the event he winds up in jail. Janet has agreed to step in and help raise the kids. Janet recently hired a new management team to guide her career after the Super Bowl fiasco and a poor selling album, Damita Jo, she needs a boost right now. There’s another Jackson making headlines! It’s the love child of Joe Jackson and his one time mistress Cheryl Terrell. Joh’vonnie Jackson is 30 years old and she lives with her dad Joe Jackson in Las Vegas. Katherine Jackson, Joe’s long suffering wife has never forgiven Joe about his love child and she has demanded that her children have no contact with his other daughter. Joe and Katherine have been living apart for years. They only appear together in public for family functions. Joh’Vonnie does not have contact with the other Jackson members. Years ago Janet and Randy beat up one of their father’s mistresses. I wonder was it Joh’Vonnies mother Hmmmmmmmm?
K-I-S-S-I-N-G Who was kissing up a storm at Philadelphia International Airport? Tyreese and Lisa Raye! Tyreese is filming a movie in Philly and Lisa Raye who stars on the UPN Show All of Us was in town to film a video with him. Tyreese was at the airport with Lisa Raye and he wanted to make sure she got to Los Angeles safely. His tongue was all down her throat as onlookers watched them. Are they dating? Is she just a friend? Maybe it was just a nice goodbye kiss?
30 years ago Al Green made headlines when his girlfriend threw a pan of hot grits on him after an argument. Green suffered 2nd degree burns on his arms, back and stomach. What ever happened to the woman who burned Al Green? The latest issue of Vibe Magazine tells the story of Mary Woods, a married mother of three who was having an affair with Al Green. Woods became very attached to Al Green and when he tried to push her away she threw the grits on him. She later killed herself as Green was rushed to the hospital. It is a fascinating story because the story of Al Green and the hot grits is legendary. The story is featured in the latest issue of Vibe with Ashanti on the cover.
There’s trouble on the set of American Idol. Will the new season start on time in January? Producers of the show want to make changes to keep the show fresh, but officials at Fox are saying no way. The producers walked off the set and contestants were sent home until an agreement could be reached.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five have made history as the first rap act inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. They will join U2, The Pretenders, The Sex Pistols and Percy Sledge to name a few at ceremonies to be held later this month. For the second year in a row the O’Jays were shut out. The O’Jays were nominated, but they didn’t make the cut. Whereas I am glad to see Grandmaster Flash make history it is really an outrage that the O’Jays cannot get their due. The O’Jays have five more chances to get nominated.
Brian McKnight will be releasing a new album in February. The project is called Gemini and it will be a 2 CD det. One side will R&B, and the other will be a jazz project. Brian says the R&B side will be a change of pace for him-- a little risqué and very hip.
It’s award season! The American Music Awards are November 14th on ABC. The Vibe Awards are November 16th on UPN and The Peoples Choice Awards are January 9th.
If you missed the BET Smokey Robinson award tribute you can catch it again on Tuesday, November 9th on BET.
Kobe Bryant is planning to renew his vows with his wife Vanessa next year in Hawaii. A new dress and a new ring won’t make her forget about his cheating.
After 11 years with Atlantic Records, Brandy has been dropped. Her last album was a major disappointment and she is looking for a new record deal
Oh the wonders of Viagara! 
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